The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the 1700s, streamlined agricultural, textile, coal and iron production; therefore changing the course of history throughout the world. Although the benefits of the industrial revolution are innumerable, it also created its own share of environmental issues. From pollution of air and water to the depletion of the ozone layer, we are still, centuries later, discovering the full weight and damage the industrial revolution has caused.

As our understanding of our impact on the planet and our environment grows, we continue to take steps to reverse the damage; beginning in the 1970s several laws were enacted. Out of the movement came the “Clean Air Act” of 1970 and the “Clean Water Act” of 1972. Since then, more legislation has been enacted in the United States with the goal of further protecting our environment. Even though the laws have been implemented, enforcement of said laws has been lax. Although the Industrial Revolution directly shaped the world we live in today, if we don’t correct the mistakes of the past, we won’t have a world tomorrow.

While the Industrial Revolution brought businesses to life and thousands of people became employed, the cities became overfilled with waste. Coal which engulfed cites in endless smoke that filled the lungs of thousands of people and destroyed our ozone layer. With the run off of the plants caused water pollution and only until the 20th century lead to disease like cholera and typhoid. The Revolution didn’t just destroy air and water but reshaped the land scape of cities.

Each of these pollutants not only killed thousands of people but made the world realize what damage can be done by using nature resources could do. Coal, was a cheap energy source. Coal was typically used in houses and sorts like that but since the Industrial revolution it became a very cheap fuel source for trains and factory’s. The burning of coal released enormous amounts of ash, and flue gasses containing pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphuric acids and arsenic. It also produces almost twice as much carbon dioxide as gas With the use of Coal it polluted the Air and now created a new issue for the environment.

The polluted air that were inhaled would have a serious impact on the human health affecting lungs and the respiratory system. In 1970 Congress established a structure of the “Clean Air Act” and made a revision in 1977 and 1990. Due to dense, visible smog in a majority of city’s helped promote legislation to passing this bill. Water, something that you and I drink every day. For centuries humans unknowingly drank water that was infected with diseases from polluted factories that allowed its run off to be poured in to rivers and streams. In one occasion in 1969, the Ohio’s Cuyahoga river to burst into flames due to the toxic pollution being poured in to it.

With the factories literly dumping toxic water back in to water supplies for towns and cities, the water was being recycled basically. The water maybe the worst contaminant of all, It was being fed in to the wild life, people, livestock and the overall environment. Trees became none existent around these new Uribinzationed cities due them being use as fuels and dying because of all the pollution.

I would have to say that the way of life since the Industrial Revolution has had a dramatic increase in life. Over the past 200 years the quality of life has improved due to the direct result of technology, industy and economic growth that all began at the time of the Industrial Revolution. With the laws set in place like the “Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act” of the 1970’s, it would be a safe osumption to say the way of life has improved. Changes like modern medicine and sanitation, indoor plumbing, sewerage systems and water-treatment facilities all over the world have contributed to our well-being.